If it is not due to an accumulation of earwax, the feeling of clogged ears is most of the time linked to an infection of the ENT sphere (cold, otitis…). What other causes? What to do ?
The clogged ear sensation is the symptom of different pathologies (otitis, flu, colds…) and also occurs in certain specific circumstances, on a plane or when you have water in your ear, when scuba diving for example. What are the different causes? Is that bad ? When to worry? How to get rid of a clogged ear?
What are the symptoms of a clogged ear?
The sensation of clogged ears is expressed by mild hearing loss on the side of the blocked ear. It can come on suddenly or gradually, and particularly felt with each swallow or yawn. If the clogged ear sensation develops over several days, occurs spontaneously, or is accompanied by other symptoms (pain, fever), it is imperative to consult your doctor.
What causes a clogged ear?
► An earwax plug: earwax is a natural secretion of the ear. When it builds up, it can block the passage of sound through the ear canal and thus cause that stuffy ear feeling.
► Water “trapped” in the ear: this is what is typically observed in swimmers and causes a blocked ear sensation; the water must in this case be evacuated quickly to avoid infection.
► A foreign body in the ear: “especially in young children, may also explain this sudden hearing lossexplains Dr. Dominique Chevalier, ENT doctor. It is better to have it removed as soon as possible.“.
► A middle ear infectiondue to otitis, a cold Or a simple cold for example, may be another cause of the phenomenon. These pathologies can lead to inflammation of the ear canal and therefore a swelling, at the origin of the clogged ear.
► A perforation of the eardrum: the sensation may also come from an abnormality in the eardrum, such as a perforation.
► Ménière’s disease: the clogged ear sensation is the symptom of this rare disease, a chronic condition of the inner ear, also causing attacks of vertigo.
► A change in pressure (aeroplane, diving): the clogged ear often follows a sudden change in pressure, which one feels in particular in the plane or in scuba diving; then we are talking about barotrauma or barotraumatic otitis. This condition corresponds to a painful inflammation of the ear, following a plane trip.
What are the solutions to unclog an ear?
► In case of earwax accumulation in the earsthere are specific products designed to soften the material so that it flows more easily. The use of cotton swabs is however strongly discouraged. : they risk pushing the earwax deeper into the ear canal, and thus aggravating the symptoms.
► In case of infectionantibiotic treatment may be considered by the specialist.
► In the plane, the mere fact of yawning or swallowing is sometimes enough to eliminate the feeling of clogged ears. To balance the pressure between the outer ear and the middle ear, one can also practice the Valsalva maneuver : this consists of blocking the nose, then blowing while keeping the mouth closed so as to blow air into the Eustachian tubes.
When to consult in case of blocked ear?
“In case of sudden deafnessit is advisable to consult a specialist quickly, especially if other clinical signs, such as dizziness, appear“, specifies Doctor Chevalier. If you are unable to evacuate the wax plug yourself using over-the-counter products, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an ENT specialist, who will get rid of it quickly. In any case, if the clogged ear sensation persists, consulting a specialist will eliminate this unpleasant sensation as quickly as possible and avoid any complications that have a lasting impact on hearing.
Thanks to Doctor Dominique Chevalier, ENT doctor.